QUEENSLAND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH BRISBANE 346 TURBOT ST SPRING HILL QLD 4000 PO BOX 418 FORTITUDE VALLEY
Phone: 07 3839 7020 Fax: 07 3839 7021 Freecall: 1800 177937 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Internet: www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 45 620 218 712
Thursday, 15 March 2012
6cbp190cs.jmr
Quality Schools – Professional Rates of Pay
PMSA CHAPTER BRIEFING No. 40 Employer Seeks to Impose Lead Teacher ahead of Fair Work Hearing Inappropriate Haste for Applications Should Be Resisted Dear Colleagues It is disappointing that the PMSA has determined to unilaterally impose the employer Lead Teacher Classification prior to a determination by Fair Work Australia as to its legitimacy. Adding further insult to the employer inaction over the preceding 12 months, the PMSA is now seeking to further disadvantage employees by imposing a short timeline for applications prior to a determination by Fair Work Australia about the appropriateness of the Lead Teacher Classification. Employees are well aware that the classification Accomplished Teacher was balloted and agreed by both employees and employer in the PMSA Enterprise Agreement and the subsequent employer Lead Teacher was, at no stage, discussed or agreed with employees prior to the ballot. Inappropriate Haste for Backpay Application to be Resisted The need for backpay for employees meeting the yet to be agreed criteria for Accomplished Teacher was a product of employer inaction in determining the criteria and application processes for the Accomplished Classroom Teacher classification, which was due to implementation by 1 April 2011. Knowing that the matter is before Fair Work Australia for resolution, it is inappropriate for the PMSA to seek applications by the end of Term One 2012 from employees seeking to be paid the Accomplished Teacher wage rate backdated to 1 April 2011. Letter to Employer IEUA-QNT has written to the employer to request that applications for the employer imposed Lead Teacher classification be suspended until the dispute over the PMSA non-compliance with the Enterprise Agreement is resolved with no disadvantage to employees in PMSA schools. Next Steps Employees are encouraged not to submit applications for the disputed Lead Teacher Classification until after the Fair Work Australia hearing into this matter.
The PMSA has until close of business on Friday, 16 March 2012 to indicate agreement that applications be suspended until the Fair Work process has concluded and that employees will have a reasonable period of time, after the Fair Work outcome, to submit an application for the new classification (whether Accomplished or Lead) and be able to access the backpay of the allowance from 1 April 2011. IEUA-QNT, on behalf of employees, reserves its rights to take further action in the event the employer does not provide the necessary undertakings. Faxback Chapters are requested to consider the two motions on the faxback and return the faxback by close of business on Wednesday, 21 March 2012.
Kind regards
CHRIS SEYMOUR OFFICER SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN PMSA SCHOOLS
QUEENSLAND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH
PMSA SECTOR CHAPTER FAX BACK Chapter Briefing No: 40
Thursday, 15 March 2012
The Chapter at __________________________________ school calls upon the PMSA to suspend the application process for the disputed Lead Teacher Classification until after the current dispute process in Fair Work Australia has been finalised. CARRIED / NOT CARRIED The Chapter at ___________________________________ school calls upon the PMSA to honour its commitment to backpay successful applicants who would have been eligible for the Accomplished Teacher classification on 1 April 2011 once the current dispute process in Fair Work Australia has been finalised. CARRIED / NOT CARRIED
PLEASE FAX BACK TO CHRIS SEYMOUR ON FAX NUMBER (07) 3839 7021 or email jrymer@qieu.asn.au
BY 5:00PM on WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 2012